Page 42 of Craving a King

Engaged!Kofi is engaged.

The entire time he’s talked about loving me, needing me, and wanting me to stay, he’s had a fiancée. I was over the moon a few minutes ago. Now, I’m outside with wet tears running down my perfectly made-up face. A face made up for him. I saw his face when I exited the restroom and gave him a death glare before walking out. No doubt, he is not far behind me.

Moments earlier, I walked into the restroom to follow the hot command from his majesty. I could hardly wait to make myself come to his words. I walked in the stall, lifted my dress, and quickly put my French-manicured fingers to work on my silk-clad mound. I made soft strokes up and down the length of my center to his previous words,I will take care of all your needs if you allow me. I can start with this obvious need between your legs.Quick firm circles to my bud remembering the heat in his voice,He’s so ready for you, baby. Let me fill you up.A quick gasp and I was undone. My panties were soaked. Mission accomplished. I removed my panties and tucked them into the crown serving as my purse for the evening.

I left the stall to wash my hands and touch up my lipstick when I looked into the mirror and spotted Akua and a very tall woman the color of dark brown sugar at the entrance. They headed to the sinks behind me deep in a lively conversation. I didn’t think Akua would be at the ball—not because she’s a servant, but because she’s 82 years old. Not in the mood to be insulted by one of Akua’s back-handed compliments, I dried my hands and attempted to leave unnoticed. No such luck.

“Ms. Jenkins!” she announced with misplaced glee. I turned around with a tight smile. “Don’t you look exquisite. Is this the dress Kofi designed for you? Mawuli does wonderful work. She can transform anyone into a beauty.”Bitch.

The woman beside her cocked her head slightly to the side and took stock of me from head to toe. Somehow, I felt that was the purpose of Akua’s small talk and jab—to allow this woman time to take me completely in. The woman was pretty in a false way. She wore jet black hair that obviously wasn’t hers in a slick high ponytail that went to her ass. Her lashes were long and fake. She had perfectly arched eyebrows that announced hazel eyes below. Her slim frame wore a short kente-printed silk dress with towering red Louboutin heels. The four-inch heels were excessive, as she was clearly at least five-foot-ten without them. She clutched her Chanel purse like a weapon. Everything about her screamed,look at me!

“Akua! How lovely to see you,” I lied. “I hear you are serving at the palace right now. I missed you at Bonbiri today.” I pray the fake concern I plastered on my face said,Yes, I’m there and you aren’t. He chose me.

Akua straightened her body. “Yes, well, I do help out at Manhyia from time to time.” She painted her smile back on before turning to the woman beside her. “Allow me to introduce you to someone. This is Abena Owusu, an old family friend.”

Abena gave me another once-over before extending her hand. I shook it. “Nice to meet you. I read a lot about Revolution Academies while Kofi was trying to decide which network to bring to Kumasi. I’m glad he chose you. I told him he should.”

She told him he should! Who was this woman? Kofi is not the type of leader to discuss Ashanti business with random family friends. She must be more to him. But how much more? I shook off the surprise I’m sure was apparent on my face. “Ah, well, I guess I should thank you for the endorsement. How long have you known Kofi?”

She smiled. “Our whole lives. We’ve been devoted to each other since birth.”

The smile I returned was a vicious dare. “Interesting…I’ve met most of the important people in Kofi’s life since I’ve been here, but he hasn’t mentioned you.”

Abena did not miss a beat. She poked out her chest and radiated a superior stare. “That’s probably because I serve the royal family in London as chief photographer. We don’t get to see each other much, but that will all change once we fulfill our contract.”

“Contract?” I openly mused.

Akua came forward and touched my arm. “Well yes, dear, surely you know of Kofi’s betrothal contract to the daughter of Tarkwa’s chief?” She flourished her free hand in the direction of Abena. “Abena is Kofi’s intended. The future Ashanti queen.”

The wind was knocked from me for a second, and I gently stumbled back before casually catching myself on the nearby wall.

“Are you OK, dear?” Akua fussed.

I glared at her before gathering my stride. “Yes, I think I need some air. If you will excuse me.”

Akua looked satisfied. “Of course dear, we will see you at dinner. We are seated at your table. Are you sure I can’t get you anything?”

“No, I’m fine. I will join the table shortly.”

I left the bathroom and made a beeline for the door. Now I’m sitting outside on a bench in the lovely gardens I spotted behind the convention center. I can’t remember the last time I needed a good cry. Actually, I can. Marcus! That coward revealed he was in love with someone else two weeks before our wedding. My heart broke into a million pieces. It has taken three years of therapy, self-love, and no sex to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. I was in a good place. My business is thriving. I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m taking my brand global. The tears are falling because I threw all that stability away for a king that has been promised to a queen I knew nothing about. All while he’s been treating me as his queen. He lied. The betrayal is biting. What am I doing here? I never should have come. I’ve been wrapped up in a fairytale that is indeed fiction. It’s time to get real.

I hear his steps approach before he speaks. “Ella…” He sounds less sure. Good—he should be afraid. He should beveryafraid. I don’t bother to look up. I throw my arm out, silently telling him to save it. He sighs. “Ella, I’m not leaving until you allow me to explain. Now, look at me. You know I don’t like to—” I cut him off by snapping my head up.

“You don’t like to ask twice.” I mock him. “Well, I couldn’t care less. You no longer get to dictate how I respond to you. That ended the moment I found out you were hiding a fiancée.”

He sighs, closes his eyes, and wipes his hand over his face. When he looks back at me, there is regret in his eyes. “Ella, I did not hide Abena.”

Somehow his answer causes even more hurt. I want him to at the very least deny her claims. I want him to say she is lying. That of course he doesn’t have a fiancée, how could he? He loves me. Instead, he denies that he hid her.

“I’m sorry, but you sure didn’t mention her before screwing me all along the Gold Coast.”

He smirks and crosses his arms across his broad chest. “We haven’t screwed up and down the Gold Coast. We’ve never even left Ghana. But if you give me a chance to explain, I can remedy that.”

I stand up, incredulous. “You know what I mean! And if you think you will ever touch me again, you are sadly mistaken.”

He stares at me as I pace and clenches his jaw. “I will. I will touch you again when you calm down and let me explain who Abena is.”

I glare at him and loudly whisper, “Screw you!”

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